WITH 


°0F  Steps 


Frictio 


0$ 


J.T. Cowles’  Improved 


General  Office  , 

7&9.SJeffei^son  St.  CHICAGO. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2017  with  funding  from 
Columbia  University  Libraries 


https://archive.org/details/jtcowlesinventorOOcowl 


J.  T.  COWLES, 


r 


Inventor  and  Proprietor 


IMPROVED  - 

" — 


,TAND-J)lPE 


Fire-Escape. 


GENERAL  OFFICE, 


7 and  9 <7)outd 


e erson 


)treet 


HICAGO,  LL. 


Rand  McNally  & to.,  printers  and  engravers,  ('hicagd 


I CHALLENGE  THE  WORLD  IN 


l^ead  and 


eason. 

HF.  inventor  of  this  apparatus  is  a mechanic,  and 
appreciating  the  need  of  a good  and  practical 
Fire-Escape,  knowing  there  was  no  effective  one 
in  existence,  more  than  ten  years  ago  he  set  him- 
self the  task  of  inventing  one  that  should  be  perfect. 
After  years  of  arduous  labor  and  experiment,  he  be- 
lieves that  he  has  now  produced  the  best , the  simplest , 
the  most  effective  Fire-Escape  in  the  world. 

1 he  true  principle  of  a Fire-Escape  is  not  alone  to 
provide  a mode  of  fleeing  from  the  fire , but  at  the  same 
time  to  provide  a mode  of  access  to  the  fire  for  the  pur- 
pose of  extinguishing  it.  This  is  accomplished  by  the 
combination  of  a stand-pipe  and  ladder,  so  arranged 
that  the  exact  location  of  the  fire  can  at  once  be  dis- 
covered without  going  inside  the  building,  and  an 
eftective  stream  of  water  at  once  applied  to  it,  or  the 
roof  opened  up  to  provide  the  escape  of  smoke. 

The  hose  valves  are  so  located  that  should  the  fire  on 
a given  floor  have  obtained  such  a headway  that  it  is 
impossible  to  attach  a hose,  the  valve  can  be  opened 
from  the  floor  below,  and  the  stream  breaking  the  glass 
will  discharge  1,500  gallons  of  water  per  minute  within 
the  building,  thus  effectually  flooding  any  floor  in  less 
than  three  minutes. 


No.  1 Balcony. 

6 feet  long,  28  inches  wide. 


(2';e  0d  v/aniaeje  of  Plotf, 


forms 


Or  balconies,  in  combination  with  a Stand-Pipe  and 
Fire-Escape,  are  : the  firemen  are  not  obliged  to  enter 
the  building,  each  platform  affording  room  for  three 
firemen,  from  whence  they  can  direct  a stream  to  any 
point  on  the  floor.  They  also  afford  a ready  and  safe 
means  of  exit  to  all  persons  within  the  buildino-. 


PROTECTING  LIFE  AND  PROPERTY.  3 


No.  1. 

This  cut  represents  the  form  of  my  apparatus  specially  adapted  for 
hotels  and  manufactories  where  women  and  children 
are  employed. 

Prices  given  on  application  with  or  without  Stand-Pipe 


4 


I CHALLENGE  THE  WORLD  IN 


In  combination  with  platforms  and  ladders:  It  is 
apparent  to  all  who  have  had  any  experience  with  fires 
that  the  process  of  getting  a hose  to  the  top  of  a build- 
ing by  means  of  ladders  is  slow  and  dangerous,  and 
very  often  at  the  moment  of  greatest  need  the  hose 
bursts  or  escapes  the  hold  of  the  fireman  and  is  useless. 
The  Stand-Pipe  is  always  ready,  always  in  position, 
firmly  anchored  to  the  building,  and  it  never  bursts. 


of  a good  Fire-Escape  is  a step  that  is  at  all  times  and 
under  all  circumstances  safe — it  is  here  simple  and  per- 
fect. In  all  fire-ladders  ever  made  heretofore,  the  rungs 
were  of  round  iron,  and  when  wet  or  ice  covered  they 
have  proven  fatal  traps  rather  than  a means  of  escape. 
In  this  ladder  the  rungs  are  square  iron  with  a corner 
up-wan/,  giving  a safe  footing,  and  when  festooned  with 
icicles  from  top  to  bottom,  every  particle  of  ice  falls  off 
every  rung  as  it  yields  to  the  weight  of  the  person,  even 
though  a man  is  barefooted,  thus  giving  a square  angle 
to  tread  upon. 


I he  STAND-PIPE  is  made  of  the  best  three-inch 
wrought-iron  pipe,  lap-welded,  with  2%  inch  outlets  at 
each  window  and  on  the  roof,  and  to  each  outlet  is  at- 
tached a 2l/?.  inch  brass  hose  valve,  with  oil  soaked  sole- 
leather  discs,  thus  preventing  any  sticking  of  the  valves 
by  expansion  or  contraction.  This  valve  can  be  opened 
or  closed  with  the  strength  of  one  finger  at  all  times. 
At  the  bottom  of  the  Stand-Pipe  is  a two-way  Siamese 
valve,  so  arranged  that  two  steam  fire  engines  can  attach 
and  work  at  the  same  time.  This  Siamese  has  automatic 
valrcs , so  that  should  one  working  steamer  burst  its 
hose  it  does  not  stop  the  working  of  the  apparatus. 


PROTECTING  LIFE  AND  PROPERTY.  5 


No.  2- 

Tlii-i  cut  is  the  same  as  No.  1,  with  Platforms  instead  of  Balconies 
specially  adapted  for  warehouses  and  heavy  manufactories. 
Prices  given  on  application  with  or  without  Stand-Pipe. 


6 


I CHALLENGE  THE  WORLD  IN 


The  ladder  is  first  made  independent  of  the  stand-pipe 
and  then  securely  bolted  to  the  stand-pipe  with  short  tap 
bolts.  The  pipe  and  ladder  are  then  securely  bolted  to 
the  platforms,  which  have  previously  been  securely  an- 
chored into  the  walls  of  the  building  with  forty-five 
degree  iron  bar  anchors.  When  complete  on  the  build- 
ing, the  ladder  is  warranted  to  sustain  a weight  of  five 
tons.  In  places  where  there  is  sufficient  water  pressure, 
it  is  .very  desirable  to  connect  the  stand-pipe  with  the 
street  mains.  When  this  is  done  it  is  only  necessary  to 
open  the  valve  on  any  floor,  and  you  have  a stream  of 
water  before  a fire  engine  could  leave  its  quarters.  There 
are  numerous  instances  where  fires  have  been  put  out 
by  this  apparatus  before  the  fire  department  were  on  the 
ground,  although  notified  promptly,  and  names  and 
dates  will  be  furnished  on  application  to  verify  this  asser- 
tion, if  doubted.  Many  fires  have  started  in  buildings 
supplied  with  this  apparatus,  but  there  is  no  instance  on 
record  where  the  fire  has  not  been  confined  lo  the  floor 
where  it  originated.  No  building  ever  burned  down 
equipped  with  this—  the  best  device  in  the  universe — 
when  a prompt  alarm  has  been  given. 


In  all  factories  and  schools  using  this  Escape,  pains 
should  be  taken  to  instruct  the  employes  or  scholars  as  to 
the  exact  location — relative  to  hallways,  etc. — of  the  Es- 
capes. And  in  hotels  every  room  should  have  suspended, 
on  or  near  the  gas  bracket,  a placard  giving  plain  direc- 
tions as  to  how  to  find  the  Fire-Escape.  Hallways  should 
be  provided  with  red  lights  at  the  windows  where  the 
Escape  balcony  is  located.  Guests  should  never,  on 
entering  a hotel  for  the  first  time,  ascend  in  the  elevator, 
but  always  by  the  stairways,  and  endeavor  to  get  a 
definite  idea  of  the  situation. 


nsurance 


The  attention  of  Insurance  men  has  been  drawn  to 
the  advantages  of  this  Escape,  and  in  New  York,  Chi- 
cago, Indianapolis,  Detroit  and  other  cities,  where  it  is 
erected  upon  buildings,  a substantial  reduction  is  made 
in  the  rates  On  the  wholesale  house  of  Marshall  Field 
& Co.  (formerly  Field,  Leiter  & Co.),  Chicago,  the 
reductions  made  on  a single  year’s  premiums  more  than 
sufficed  for  the  payment  of  all  the  Escapes. 


PROTECTING  LIFE  AND  PROPERTY.  7 


No.  3. 

With  or  without  Stand-Pipe  and  Water  Connections,  and  with  cast 
or  wrought  iron  ornamental  railing  if  desired. 

Prices  furnished  upon  application. 


8 I CHALLENGE  THE  WORLD  IN 


imoma 


Treasury  Department , 

Office  of  the  Supervising  Architect. 

C.  E.  Creecy,  Esq., 

i i 7 C Street , N.  £., 

Washington  D.  C.  : 

Sir — Yours  of  the  yth  instant  is  received , 
submitting,  as  Attorney  for  John  T.  Cowles , a 
proposal  to  erect  four  Stand-Pipes  and  Fire- 
Escapes  in  the  court  yards  of  the  Treasury 
Department , as  per  cut  No.  2 of  his  catalogue , 
for  tivo  thousand  dollars  ($2,000),  and  the  pro- 
posal is  hereby  accepted : two  Stand-Pipes  and 
Ladders  to  be  placed  in  each  court  yard,  and  con- 
nections for  hose  to  be  made  at  the  fourth  story 
and  at  the  roof. 

Please  proceed  with  the  work  at  once , and 
complete  it  at  the  earliest  possible  date. 

Very  respectfully , 

JAS.  G.  HILL, 

Supervising  A rchitect. 


PROTECTING  LIFE  AND  PROPERTY.  9 


No.  4.  This  cut  represents  the  Fire-Escape  Ladders  simply,  with 
double  balconies.  This  is  so  arranged  that  fifty  or  more  persons 
can  escape  simultaneously.  The  large  balconies  (each  of  which  can 
accommodate  fifteen  persons)  are  a safeguard  against  falls  for  a 
greater  distance  than  the  space  between  the  balconies.  Competent 
assistants  at  every  balcony  can.  from  t he  OUTSIDE,  aid  children  o»* 
infirm  persons  to  escape  down  the  INSIDE  of  the  ladder 

Prices  given  on  application  with  or  without  Stand-Pipi  . 


io 


I CHALLENGE  THE  WORLD  IN 


Designed  for  main  entrances  to  schools,  academies, 
factories,  asylums,  etc. 

Made  in  any  desired  length,  size  or  shape,  with  plain 
pipe  or  ornamental  railing. 


The  treads  and  risers  are  perforated,  and  ice-proof — 
impossible  to  slip  on  them — no  accumulations  of  snow, 
ice  or  dirt;  do  not  exclude  the  light;  serve  as  perfect 
foot  scrapers;  light,  airy  and  substantial. 

This  stairway  erected  at  Michigan  School  for  the 
Blind,  Lansing,  Mich.,  to  the  management  of  which  I 
refer  all  who  may  desire  information  as  to  the  practical 
utilities  of  this  stairway. 


PROTECTING  LIFE  AND  PROPERTY 


11 


Stairway  No.  1. 

Prices  furnished  upon  application. 


12  I CHALLENGE  THE  WORLD  IN 


Stairway  No.  2. 

Designed  for  rear  stairways,  where  landings  with  angles  are 
required.  Same  practical  advantages  as 
Stairway  No.  1. 


PROTECTING  LIFE  AND  PROPERTY. 


13 


h1 


Of  tf|e  Uqited  States  is  divided  as  fol.ows  be- 
tweeq  JOHN  T.  COWLES,  tfqe  Patentee,  aqd 
MATHIAS  Benner,  of  Chicago,  eacf]  f)av  ng  ex- 
clusive rights  iq  his  owq  States: 

JOHN  T.  COWLES 

has  the  following  territory: 

Minnesota,  Olqio, 

Iowa,  Delaware, 

Missouri,  Marylaqd, 

Arkaqsas,  New  Jersey, 

Louisiaqa,  Pennsy  Ivaqia, 

Michigan,  West  Virgiqia, 
Iqdiaqa,  Dist.  Columbia, 

Virgiqia,  Nortf)  Caroliqa, 

Coqqecticut,  Brooklyn,  N,  Y. 


MATHIAS  BENNER, 

HOME  OFFICE 

264  SOUTH  JEFFERSON  ST.,  CHICAGO,  ILL. 

HAS  THE  FOLLOWING  TERRITORY: 

Wiscoqsin,  , New  York, 

I Hiqois,  Rljode  Islaqd, 

Keqtucky,  Verrqont, 

Tennessee,  Maiqe, 

Mississippi,  South  Caroliqa, 

Georgia,  New  Hampshire, 

Alabarqa,  Massachusetts, 

Florida. 


CITIES  WHICH  HAVE  ADOPTED 


THE  IMPROVED 

fftand-pipe  and  Fire-Escape 

CHICAGO,  ILL. 

ST.  LOUIS,  MO 

CINCINNATI,  OHIO. 

MILWAUKEE,  WIS. 

MEMPHIS,  TENN. 

MINNEAPOLIS,  MINN. 

KANSAS  CITY,  MO. 

GRAND  RAPIDS,  MICH. 

AKRON.  OHIO. 

DAYTON,  OHIO 

CLEVELAND,  OHIO 

GRAND  HAVEN,  MICH. 

DENVER,  COL. 

SOUTH  BEND,  IND. 

RACINE,  WIS. 

ROCKFORD,  ILL. 

NEWARK,  N.  J. 

PHILADELPHIA,  PA. 

PITTSBURGH,  PA. 

EVANSVILLE,  IND. 

MASSILLON,  OHIO. 

NEW  YORK  CITY. 

DETROIT,  MICH. 

INDIANAPOLIS,  IND. 

BURLINGTON,  IOWA. 


Prominent  Buildings  Saved 


BY  THE 

USE  OF  THIS  APPARATUS. 

Honore  Building,  Chicago. 

St.  Mary’s  Block,  Chicago. 

Marshall  Field’s  Building,  Chicago. 

Le  Grand  Burton  Building,  Chicago. 

Furst  & Bradley’s  Agricultural  Works,  Chicago. 
Windsor  Hotel,  Denver,  Col. 

Baum’s  Building,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Daniel  O.  Stewart,  Indianapolis. 


AVERY  LIBRARY 
COLUMBIA  UlllVLiw.i  i 


ill** 

-S57 

^83 


DOPTED 


G> 


U.  S.  Government 


AND 

All  the  Largest  Cities  in  the  United 
States  and  Canada. 


Six  Distinct  Patents: 

FEBRUARY  I,  1876. 

SEPTEMBER  5,  1876. 

MARCH  13,  1877. 

JANUARY  18,  1881. 
FEBRUARY  27,  1883,  Two  Patents, 


